2023 LAIC COHORT
Maria Hall
Attorney Development Director
Since 2015, Maria has provided structure and community for lawyers who aim to serve clients with limited access to legal services due to financial and cultural barriers. She has overseen the development of nearly 100 firms founded by diverse attorneys, representing 28 different language fluencies, who have collectively donated over 10,000 pro bono hours to Los Angeles legal services organizations. Maria earned her law degree from USC Gould School of Law in 2003 and has worked in the areas of employment, housing and civil rights ever since.
Sarah Cortez
Law Office of Sarah Cortez
Immigration Law / Limited Conservatorships / Guardianships (Additional Language: Spanish)
Prior to starting her own firm, Sarah defended unaccompanied minors in removal proceedings, as well as noncitizens with serious convictions or who had been declared incompetent by the court. Today, Sarah focuses on helping noncitizens apply for immigration benefits, including minors eligible for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS). In addition to her immigration work, Sarah also enjoys helping clients make a fresh start by clearing old criminal records through expungements and other post-conviction remedies.
The Law Office of Sarah Cortez can be reached at: (323) 486-3673 sarah@attorneycortez.com
Leona Kiwan
Kiwan Law, P.C.
Employment Law, Estate Planning, Civil Litigation and Immigration Law
Leona represents employees who have experienced work based harassment, discrimination and retaliation. Coming from a background of immigrant parents, Leona understands the value of bridging the gap and providing legal help to people who are intimidated by legal process. Leona has also aided many clients in estate planning and family-based immigration needs.
Kiwan Law can be reached at: (805) 915-4712
Leona@kiwanlaw.com or www.kiwanlaw.com
Leslie Delvin
Devlin Law Office
Estate Planning / Elder Law
Leslie started her law career after twenty years as a film and television makeup artist in the entertainment industry. She has found a niche providing affordable estate planning services to her fellow union members, artists, and for non-taxable estates. Leslie is also interested in elder law and has provided pro bono immigration services with community organizations.
Leslie Devlin can be reached at: (310) 415-7561 or LeslieDevlin@gmail.com.
Rolando Fuentes
The Law Offices of Rolando E. Fuentes
Immigration Law (Additional Language: Spanish)
Rolando’s education in immigration law started long before law school: he was an immigrant himself from Guatemala, and also worked as a paralegal for an immigration lawyer for over a decade. Rolando draws from his own experience to guide clients through the labyrinth that is the US immigration system, especially new immigrants who are so vulnerable to exploitation due to lack of knowledge and resources. He strives to explain the options and risks to his clients, so they can make informed decisions for themselves and their families. The Law Office of Rolando Fuentes can be reached at (818) 744-2257 or rolando@attorneyfuentes.com or
Arineh Eve Erizian
The Law Office of Arineh Erizian
Business Consulting / Contracts / Restraining Orders / Criminal Law (Additional Languages: Armenian, Farsi)
Arineh joined the legal profession with a rich background in accounting, business management and negotiating international contracts. However, after volunteering for Neighborhood Legal Services and helping lower income litigants obtain restraining orders, she discovered her true passion was for providing direct services to clients in court. As she pivots away from transactional work, she is seeking opportunities to work in the area of criminal defense.
Arineh Erizian can be reached at: (818) 590-2839 or arineh.erizian@gmail.com.
Sherri Sturgeon
Sturgeon Immigration
Mediation Services, Immigration Law
After living and working overseas, Sherri pursued a career in law because of the grave injustice she saw in some of the darkest corners of the globe. During her time at Regent University Law School in Virginia, Sherri advocated for immigrant rights at our Southern border and quickly recognized the “darkest corners” are not always far away. In combination with her skills as a certified mediator, Sherri advocates both in and out of the court room, providing affordable family and humanitarian immigration services and pre-litigation mediation services, seeking to put the “justice” back in our justice system. As a D.C. licensed attorney.
Sherri Sturgeon can be reached at:
(818) 964- 1492 or sherri@sturgeonimmigration.com
Jaime Jimenez
The Law Office of Jaime Jimenez
Immigration Law/Estate Planning (Additional Language: Spanish)
Growing up in Inglewood with immigrant parents, Jaime saw firsthand how a lack of access to legal education and services can limit a community. He enrolled at Loyola Law School in order to provide legal services to the immigrant community along with those whose access to legal services are limited by language barriers. With a dedication to service sharpened during a career spent as an air traffic controller, Jaime is devoted to providing estate planning and immigration services to those who would otherwise lack access.
Jaime Jimenez can be reached at: (424) 235-5711 or JaimeJimenezLaw@gmail.com.
Amanda Simmons
Ambika Law, P.C.
Educational Law, Disability Law, Childhood Sexual Assault and Business Formation
Amanda started Ambika Law, PC to provide services to children with mental health and special educational needs. Because children with special needs are more frequently the victims of crimes and torts, Amanda’s practice also focuses on advocacy for child crime victims. As a survivor of childhood sexual assault and the parent of a special needs child, Amanda provides trauma-informed advocacy and exceptional client results. She is a passionate believer in the unique civil rights of children and works with numerous national advocacy organizations devoted to protecting the most vulnerable.
Ambika Law can be reached at (801) 835-6295 or amanda@ambikalaw.com or